For the first time in program history the Gannon University women’s soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Gannon moved three spots in the latest NSCAA Top 25 poll released Tuesday. The Knights also remained at No. 1 in the NSCAA Atlantic regional rankings.
The No. 1 ranking is the first by a Gannon program since the women’s basketball team reached the top spot in the USA Today Sports Top 25 poll in March 2010.
Saturday’s 2-1 win over Shippensburg, along with a loss and tie among Top 5 programs, helped the Knights secure the top spot.
Kaitlyn Kissell scored her third career game-winning goal, as Gannon rallied from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the final 18 minutes to remain unbeaten Saturday at Shippensburg’s David See Field.
The Knights opened the game attacking the Raider net, but were unable to get past Shippensburg keeper Leah Roy in the early going.
Shippensburg (4-5-1, 3-5-1) took the lead in the 27th minute on Casey Rightmyer’s breakaway goal. But Gannon was able to find its stride after that.
Gannon was granted a free kick in the 72nd minute after a Raider foul and senior Mani Brueckner made the most of it. Brueckner found the net from just outside the box on the left side to score the equalizer for Gannon.
Gannon’s defense buckled down to deny eight consecutive Shippensburg shots late in the game, before Kissell’s late-game heroics sealed the win for Gannon.
The Knights return to action Wednesday when they travel to take on Clarion at 7 p.m.
DOMINIC SANSONE
